Friendship Circle to Showcase the Art of Children with Special Needs & Their Teen Buddies at "The Art of Friendship" Jan. 10

Art has the power to reach transcend beyond the barriers of the human body, to reach the human spirit and, during unique occasions, to take celebrate the special relationships that made the creation of art possible. Recognizing this, The Friendship Circle Philadelphia Region South will host a premiere event, “The Art of Friendship” to present the collaborative artwork of children with special needs and their teen buddies.

On Sunday, January 10, 2016, there will be an Art Show and Reception to showcase the creative works of The Friendship Circle youth. The event runs from 2 – 4 p.m. at the Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy (272 S. Bryn Mawr, PA 19010). Admission is complimentary, courtesy of Bear Givers, and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Artwork will be available for purchase.

Program Director Chani Baram highlights the importance of art in reaping the full benefits of The Friendship Circle: “At our Friendship Circle programs, there are transformative opportunities to develop a relationship between volunteer and participant who see each other weekly for social, spiritual and creative interactions. Until now, individuals unfamiliar with Friendship Circle could not experience the magic of those collaborations, but now through the creation and displaying of tangible art, they are able to see the veritable impact of these partnerships on January 10.

She also emphasized another intention in the creation of this event: “It is important to recognize the talents of what people with special needs can contribute. ‘The Art of Friendship’ honors, respects, and celebrates that,” says Baram.

To prepare for the upcoming art show, Friendship Circle utilized the talents of Becky Narli, who acted as Art Facilitator, in order to maximize the art creation process every step of the way. Narli’s role included brainstorming and creating projects for Friendship Circle participants to do, obtaining materials and supplies, leading the classes at Sunday Circle, and photographing the participants and teen buddies at work. Narli has been a teacher for many years and art has always been a strong element in whatever she is teaching.

In this program, she saw firsthand the transformative power of art, attesting that “When we were painting the canvasses, and volunteers were working with their individual kid, they became one person because the teen volunteer would work so closely with them – in some cases helping them hold the paint brush – that each piece represents two hearts and minds coming together to make this art.”

Narli ensured that each child had access to the best supplies – good canvasses, good paint, and good brushes. She states, “I believe in giving kids the materials to succeed. We are not helping kids by giving them inferior art supplies,” and emphasized the belief that children should work on canvas instead of paper.

Another key figure in this event was Arthur Sauerhaft, a ceramicist from Chester, PA. Sauerhaft has been involved with The Friendship Circle for nearly 10 years, and says that “It has been a great experience for all my kids, helping them grow and develop a feeling of gratitude for what they have and been able to accomplish.”

He provided blank tiles on which the participants could paint, and provided the firings for the tiles as well. “Pottery teaches you about dealing with failures and successes, and about how the process is often more important than the final product,” he said. Through trial and error, through creative breakthroughs and artists’ blocks, Friendship Circle participants were able to work together to produce art that will inspire.

Linda Dubin Garfield too saw the strength of the human spirit and the power of art to touch hearts: “Everybody has a creative spark in them, and there are certain things you cannot do verbally. This project enabled one to use non-verbal cues and reach a very deep level of connectivity.” Garfield, a full time artist and printmaker, aided the event with her creative ideas during two Sunday Circle events.

“The Art of Friendship” is made possible through the support and collaboration of Bear Givers, a non-profit dedicated to serving others. Bear Givers believes that the altruism of some can exponentially affect the lives of many. The non-profit’s mission is to bring joy to those in need and to enable those in need to feel the pride and pleasure of giving to others. Bear Givers programs facilitate an environment where givers are empowered to bring happiness to others through acts of generosity and giving.

Friendship Circle invites you to see the beautiful artwork of its participants and volunteers, and to experience for yourself the transcendental power of art on January 10. To RSVP, email rsvp@phillyfriendship.com or call (215) 574 1765.

About Friendship Circle

Founded by Lubavitch House in 2004, The Friendship Circle Philadelphia Region South connects teens and young adults to youth with special needs and their families, offering a full range of Jewish and social experiences. Together, they develop friendships while enjoying creative arts group activities, Jewish holiday celebrations, weekly playdates, and more. These mutually rewarding relationships foster the development of a caring, supportive community.